Blazers, fans relive championship

With "We Are the Champions" blaring from speakers and about 300 people crammed into the Terry D. Schrunk Plaza in downtown Portland, the 1977 NBA champion Trail Blazers made a heroes' return to the site where they celebrated the city's only championship 30 years ago.

"It's a privilege to back in Portland," former Blazers coach Jack Ramsay told the crowd, eliciting applause. "We knew we had something special the first day of practice. It was a magical blending of talent that ended in a championship. Portland forever."

One by one, just after noon, former players Lloyd Neal, Bob Gross, Corky Calhoun, Robin Jones, Dave Twardzik, Larry Steele, Maurice Lucas and Lionel Hollins -- in addition to original team owner Larry Weinberg and coaches Ramsay and Jack McKinney -- were introduced and celebrated. Legendary Blazers broadcaster Bill Schonely served as master of ceremony.

The group retraced the memorable championship parade that traversed south down Broadway and east until it reached what used to be known as Federal Plaza. Approximately 250,000 fans swarmed downtown June 6, 1977, in a moment of championship euphoria.

On Wednesday, many fans revelaed that same Blazermania excitement. They came wearing nostalgic headbands, Rip City jackets and Blazers jerseys. They snapped photos, sought autographs and, more than anything, paid tribute to the team that Portland fell in love with three decades ago.

"I vividly remember the parade because it was so much fun," said Linda Adams of Portland, wearing a '77 championship shirt -- mustard stain and all -- that read Red Hot And Rollin' 1976-77 NBA Champions. "It was on a weekday and I thought, 'Oh my goodness, I better go because everyone else has to work.' How little I knew. It was bigger than anyone ever dreamed. It was amazing. Just really, really special."

Pat Ellis of Portland was in Washington, D.C., the day the Blazers clinched the title, but she watched the game with other Oregonians in a hotel room so crowded she had to lay on the floor.

"I missed this the first time around," Ellis said of the celebration. "I didn't want to miss it again."

The ceremony -- which current Blazers Ime Udoka and Joel Przybilla, coach Nate McMillan and newly appointed General Manager Kevin Pritchard also attended -- ended with a proclamation from Portland Mayor Tom Potter, just before rain started falling at 12:45 .

"On June 5, 1977 Blazermania was born," Potter said. "It was a defining moment in Portland history. I proclaim Wednesday, April 18, 2007 is Trail Blazer 1977 NBA Champion Day."